Tension device for use in orthopedic surgery



c. B. HUGHES. TENSION DEVICE FOR USE IN ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 5. 1,920. 1,380,297. Patented May 31. 1921.

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M i BY WWW ATTORNEY WITNESS:

C. B. HUGHES. TENSION DEVICE FOR USE IN ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT .5. I920.

Patented MBJY 31, 1921..

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ATTORNEY WITNESS:

UNIT STATES PATENT; OFFICE.

CHARLES B. HUGHES, or NEWonLE ANs, Louisiana.

I TENSION DEVICE FOR USE IN ORTHOIEDIC SURGERY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 31, 1921.

Application filed October 5, 1920. Serial No. 414,732. r

for Use in Orthopedic Surgery, of which.

the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a tension device which shall take the place of the usual gravity pull used in cases involving orthopedic surgery and fractures of the limbs where a steadypull is required during treatment. I

A further. object is to provide means for varying the pull or tension by providing springs of dilferent capacities, so that the surgeon may be able to obtain the exact pull desired, and by on which pounds. I g

p A. still further object is to provide a device of the type indicated, to bev attached to the head or to the foot ofa'bedstead, and to include an arm to be clamped in position, an arm resiliently mounted with reference to the arm first named, and means for mounting a spring or a plurality of springs between the arms for normally holding them separated,a flexible device connecting the resiliently mounted arms with the elements usually attached to the foot of a patient, in the case of fracture of the limb, so that a steady pull may be exerted.

Another object is to provide means for sounding an alarm in case the movable and resiliently mounted arm is brought into contact with the stationary arm, the nurse and patient being thereby notified, so that the proper steps may be taken for placing the apparatus in position for further and continued operation.

' With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the device in side elevation; Fig. 2 is a top plan view; Fig. 3 is an elevation, looking from the right in Fig. 1; Fig. 1 is an elevation, looking from the left in Fig. 1.

In carrying out my invention I provide providing a scale member: the pull shall be registered in an arm 10 provided witha longitudinal slot 11 and having a pulley 12 mounted'near one end of the arm, and preferably mount-i ed in the slot just mentioned.

A movable arm 14- is resiliently mounted with reference to the arm first named, and may be conveniently connected with one end thereof by means of a spring hinge 15. Springs 16 and 17 of the .formshown may alsobe connected with the outer edge portlOHIS of the arms, forthe purpose of re taining them normally separated- The arm 10 is secured to the bedstead by means of the clamping elements 18 and 19.v V

Extending transversely of the arm '10 is a bar 20 having mounted thereon a rod 21 which serves to support a swinging U-shaped frame 22, the central portion of which serves to mount a sleeve 23 bearingdirectly against the plate or plates ,24 on the inner side 'of the movable arm. Springs 26, 27 and 28 encircle rod 21, one end 'of each spring being rigidly connected with the bar and the other end bearing against a portion of the U frame 22 for exertingpressure upon the latter and forcing the sleeve just referred to into contact with the movable arm. The bar mounting the springs is slidable with reference to the stationary arm, as stated, being secured by a bolt 29 and awing nut 30. The opposite sides of the stationary arm may carry plates 31 and 32, permitting the sliding movement and preventing unnecessary wear on the stationary arm.

The flexible device 34, such as a cord, adapted for connection with the elements secured to the foot of the patient, or other portion of the body, passes first over the pulley 12, and then through the movable arm, a sleeve 36 being provided if desired. The cord is then connected with. the ring member 38 of a spring scale of the usual commercial type and shown at 40, the oppo site end of the scale being connected with Y the movable arm at a point 41. A retaining arm or loop 42 is connected with the stationary arm and passes around the movable arm, and limits the outward movement thereof.

In order to notify the nurse and patient in the event that the movable arm contacts with the stationary arm, I provide a contact 7 making device 45 which serves to complete the circuit through an electric buzzer 4:6, for the purpose indicated, a battery being shown conveniently at 48, and the wires of the circuit are designated 49 and 50.

There are a number of decided advantages in connection with the use of the device, over the well known gravity operated apparatus. In the latter the weights come in contact with the floor, at times, and are unnecessarily heavy, it being practicable to produce the same pull, in pounds, by the use of springs of very light Weight. The bar carrying the springs is easily detached, and in order to vary the pull, it is only necessary to substitute another bar carrying springs formed 01 wire of a different gage. In the manufacture of the apparatus, it is obvious that details of construction may be varied within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. In a device of the class described, an

arm to be mountedin a fixed position, an

arm mounted to swing with reference there' to, a spring for resistlng the action of such movement, and a flexible device for moving the second named arm against the action of the spring.

2. In a device of the class described, an arm adapted to be mounted in a fixed position, an arm mounted to swing with reference to the arm first named, a spring for retaining the arms normally separated, means for detachably mounting the spring, and a flexible device connected with the second named arm for moving said arm against the tension of the spring.

sisting the movement of the arm, flexible means for moving said arm against the tension of the spring and an alarm acting as a warning when the arm moves to position rendering the spring inactive for producing tension on the flexible means.

4:. In a device of the class described, a plurality'of arms having hinged connection, a spring for normally holding the arms separated, a spring scale for registering the pull in pounds necessary to move one arm toward the other against the tension of the spring, and means for connecting the scale member with an object upon which the tension is to be exerted.

5. In a device of the class described, an arm, a pulley mounted near one end thereof, an adjustable clamp for connecting the arm with a stationary object, a movable arm hinged to the arm first named, a detachably mounted spring element connected with the arm first named and adapted to press against the second named arm, a flexible element for moving the second named arm against the tension of the spring.

6. In a device of the class described, an arm, a pulley mounted near one end thereof, an adjustable clamp for connecting the arm with a stationary object, a movable arm hinged to the arm first named, a detachably mounted spring element connected with the arm first named and adapted topress against the secondnamed arm, 'a flexible element for moving the second named arm against the tension of the spring and a scale member for registering the pull in pounds and haVino' connection with the flexible element and with the second named arm. t

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES B. HUGHES. 

